Understanding Brain Lipids in Alzheimer's Disease
Brain lipids and Alzheimer's Disease
This project explores how fats in the brain contribute to Alzheimer's disease, aiming to find new ways to help people with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11321462 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Alzheimer's disease affects millions, and while plaques and tangles are well-known features, the role of fat (lipid) accumulation in the brain is less understood. This project uses a new technique called lipidomics to look closely at hundreds of different fats in human Alzheimer's brains. Previous work mostly focused on blood, but brain fats are different, and past brain studies were often small and limited in scope. We aim to identify specific brain fats that might trigger the disease's progression and uncover new targets for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals living with or at risk for Alzheimer's disease in the future.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment options may not directly benefit from this basic science project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to detect, prevent, or treat Alzheimer's disease by targeting specific brain lipids.
How similar studies have performed: While some blood lipid studies have linked fats to cognitive issues, this project is novel in its large-scale, in-depth focus on the human brain's lipid profile in Alzheimer's disease.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Jinying — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Jinying
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.